Sunday, 9 July 2017

Question Time 197 Nailed!

Brett has provided a very thorough and correct answer to Question Time 197, as follows:

It is a Morris Penguin powered by a Henderson motorcycle engine. These are ground trainers used to allow would-be pilots to experience the thrills of taxiing into ditches and runway lights without needing to experience the joy of flight. It is owned by Graham Orphan.

I understand that it was built by ATC cadets and used by the ATC for the aforesaid ground training and that it was then part of the Sid Marshall Collection at Bankstown.

As you can see in the above photo, it is quite complete with working controls and some aircraft instruments (click on the photo once or twice to enlarge).

I cannot understand why you would put so much effort into an aircraft that was only taxyable.